Oop! Looks like James Patterson issued a public apology after he claimed that it’s now more complicated for older white men to find writing jobs in film, TV, and publishing. The author referred to it as “another form of racism” in a recent interview with The Sunday Times.
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“What’s that all about?” the New York native continued. “Can you get a job? Yes. Is it harder? Yes. It’s even harder for older writers. You don’t meet many 52-year-old white males.”
Patterson quickly issued an apology on Twitter today after users slammed him for his statement. “I apologize for saying white male writers having trouble finding work is a form of racism,” the author tweeted on Tuesday, June 14. “I absolutely do not believe that racism is practiced against white writers. Please know that I strongly support a diversity of voices being heard — in literature, in Hollywood, everywhere.”
I apologize for saying white male writers having trouble finding work is a form of racism. I absolutely do not believe that racism is practiced against white writers. Please know that I strongly support a diversity of voices being heard—in literature, in Hollywood, everywhere.
— James Patterson (@JP_Books) June 14, 2022
Alyssa Cole, who writes romance and science fiction novels, spoke out on Twitter saying, “All I’ll say about James Patterson is that his idea that cis white male authors are discriminated against/losing out, despite his continued success, is directly related to the replacement theory driving white supremacy, anti-trans laws, roe v wade, and everything else going on.”
Boy was this ever true here, again… smh… really hope there was real reflection and truth in apology.https://t.co/JHp7jraZDp
— Stephanie Bixler (@SoftyGMB) June 14, 2022
Rebecca Carroll who is another author weighed in on Patterson’s statements noting that he is one of the richest authors working today. “Imagine being born the year Jackie Robinson was the first Black MLB player in history, and then growing up to be one of the richest authors in America talking about struggles for white men is ‘another form of racism’—James Patterson GTFO,” tweeted Carroll.